• •Unexpected spikes in data usage and sluggish internet speeds are common indicators of unauthorized access.
• •Users can verify unauthorized devices by checking the 'connected devices' list within their router's administrative dashboard.
• •While most routers offer device-level blocking, the underlying security vulnerability—a weak or reused password—often remains unresolved if the network settings aren't fully reset.

Recent security guidance highlights that unexplained bandwidth spikes, degraded connection speeds, and unfamiliar entries in router logs are the primary indicators of Wi-Fi theft. Unlike standard troubleshooting steps, identifying these signs requires direct access to network administration tools to audit connected hardware. However, simply removing a rogue device is often temporary if the network password is already compromised. Users must rotate their WPA3/WPA2 security keys to effectively prevent repeat intrusions and secure their local traffic.